NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 11:
Chapter 11: Humble Love 11:
“Not yet.”
Suppressing her disdain and irritation, Zhang Ya responded.
She didn’t want to admit she was having issues with Chen Nuo; to her, it felt like a humiliation.
“Why haven’t you said anything yet? We need that money to build the house, and your brother needs it for his wedding!”
Wang Fengxia’s tone rose sharply, full of blame and impatience.
“Alright, I know. I’ll talk to him in the next few days.”
Zhang Ya frowned and changed the subject.
“I’m a bit short on cash right now. Transfer me 10,000 yuan.”
“What?! 10,000? We don’t have it!”
Wang Fengxia refused without hesitation. But after a moment, realizing her tone might have been too harsh, she softened it a little.
“If you’re short, ask that fool Chen Nuo for it. We don’t have any money at home.”
“How can you not have money? Didn’t I just get Chen Nuo to transfer you 50,000 not long ago? Plus, there were plenty of smaller amounts before. Transfer the 10,000 to me, or I won’t get any more money out of Chen Nuo for you.”
Standing in her cramped and shabby room, Zhang Ya spoke sharply.
“…Fine. I’ll transfer it to you later.”
Wang Fengxia agreed, albeit reluctantly.
“But you have to hurry and get that fool Chen Nuo to send the 100,000 for the house. I’ve already told everyone in the village we’re building a big new house.”
“Understood.”
Zhang Ya hung up the phone, glanced disdainfully at the room, and left to find something to eat.
…
(In a remote mountain village)
Zhang Ya’s mother, Wang Fengxia, glared at her phone after the call ended, her frustration practically palpable.
“She’d rather ask us for money than bleed that fool Chen Nuo dry. Raising her was a waste—she inherited none of my brains.”
She muttered under her breath.
“Just give her the money, Mom. It’s only 10,000. We’ve made plenty over the past few years, and we don’t want to upset her. What if she stops helping us?”
Zhang Ya’s younger brother, Zhang Xiaobao, said impatiently.
“That’s a minor issue. I have something more important to discuss.”
“What is it, son?”
Wang Fengxia turned her attention to him, while Zhang Ya’s father, Old Zhang, also looked over.
“I’ve been thinking—we should all move to the provincial capital with my sister and settle there.”
Zhang Xiaobao announced, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
Unlike his parents, whose focus was limited to village matters, he wanted a city life.
He didn’t want to be just another farmer.
“Move to the city? Why bother? We’re living comfortably here, and everyone in the village treats me with respect.”
Wang Fengxia complained.
Ever since Zhang Ya started dating Chen Nuo, money had been flowing in.
She had become a figure of status in the village, decked out in jewelry and new clothes.
People who used to look down on her now tried to curry her favor.
She had no desire to leave that behind.
“I’m not moving.”
Old Zhang banged the table in agreement.
He shared his wife’s sentiments.
“Do you have any idea how many properties Chen Nuo’s family owns in the provincial capital?”
Seeing his parents’ resistance, Zhang Xiaobao’s eyes flashed with disdain, but he pressed on.
“A dozen or so, why?”
Wang Fengxia replied dismissively.
“Do you know how much a single property in the city is worth? At least 5 million!”
Zhang Xiaobao stated. His words made Wang Fengxia and Old Zhang freeze in shock.
“5 million?! One house is worth 5 million?”
Wang Fengxia swallowed hard, incredulous.
“Of course!”
Zhang Xiaobao nodded, then added, “When we move there, that fool will have to give us a place to live.”
His eyes burned with greed.
He hadn’t known city properties were so valuable until recently.
Now that he knew, he had big plans.
“One house isn’t enough! Your sister suffered greatly dating that fool. We’ll demand several properties!”
“If he refuses, we won’t let her marry him!”
Wang Fengxia’s eyes sparkled with desire.
One house was worth 5 million—why not demand more?
“Mom, if we settle in the city, there are other benefits too. You and Dad can become city folk. Didn’t you always envy the retirees you saw on TV?”
“You can have that life.”
“And I need to think about marriage. In the village, I’d have to marry a local girl, but in the city, it’s different.”
“And if I have children, they’ll get a better education.”
Zhang Xiaobao’s words painted an enticing picture, and Wang Fengxia and Old Zhang’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
They could be city people?
Their grandchildren could have a brighter future?
Yes, they had to go to the city!
“Alright, we’ll start packing and prepare to leave for the city.”
Wang Fengxia agreed immediately.
“When we get there, we’ll make sure that fool gives us several properties.”
Old Zhang added.
“Agreed.”
Satisfied with his parents’ response, Zhang Xiaobao stood up.
“Give me 50,000—I’m going out.”
“To gamble again? You’ve never won anything!”
Old Zhang glared, ready to throw a chair at him.
“Leave him be. If he wants to play, let him. It’s only 50,000. With that fool Chen Nuo, we’ll never be short of money. Soon, we’ll own several properties in the city.”
Wang Fengxia calmed her husband and went to fetch 50,000 yuan, handing it over with a smug smile.